When it comes to used car reviews, there are certainly plenty of options. Looking at used car reviews can help you narrow down your options, but there are some important things you need to know when consulting them.
Narrow down your choices
If you search for used car reviews, you'll get thousands of results. Take some time to think about the types of cars you're interested in, and then narrow your choices down to a few different models. This will make reading reviews easier and less time-consuming.
Consider the source
In most cases, anyone can submit a used car review. This is both a good and a bad thing, as it can lead to people Posting the wrong comments trying to convince people to choose one brand over another. The best way to avoid this is to make sure that the sources you use for your comments are reputable. Generally, Consumer Reports, Edmunds, Car and Driver, and others provide unbiased information.
Read an article
When searching for comments, you can easily read the first comment you see and then complete it. However, you could be doing yourself serious harm. One person may buy a good car, while another may buy a bad one. Take some time to read some reviews and then decide what kind of car you want. This is the best way to see if there are recurring issues or concerns across multiple reviews.
Deciphered message
Sometimes used cars are rated more based on the driver's experience with a particular model or brand than the actual vehicle. Make sure you're weeding these out, as they shouldn't play a role in your own buying decisions - unless, of course, you plan to buy from the same dealer.
Don't rely entirely on reviews
Understanding used car reviews is instructive. You need to use your best judgment when buying. If the vehicle has obvious problems, you should consider other viable options regardless of what you read in the reviews. No matter where you buy, you should plan a test drive.
If you're considering buying a used car, be sure to contact your mechanic for a pre-purchase inspection so you know what you're buying.